In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1834
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
J. M. SMITH, of the firm of J. M. Smith & Co., dealers in staple and fancy groceries, foreign and domestic fruits and Dozier & Weyl Cracker Co. crackers and fancy biscuits, was born in Virginia in 1834, where he received good common school advantages. Emigrated to Indiana in 1854, locating in Perryville, Vermillion County. Here he followed general merchandising. From thence he moved to Terre Haute in 1876, and traveled for Hulman & Cox, wholesale grocers. In 1880, he emigrated to- St. Joseph and engaged in the above named business, in a room 22x140' feet, two stories high and cellar, giving employment to five men. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and. Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Lew Wallace. Entering the service as a private, he came out as first lieutenant on General Smith's staff. Was in the service two and a half years. He has five children living and doing well: Harry A., Lewis W., Lenora, Doyne and Kate H. Is a Mason and Knight of Pythias.
As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.